Search - Diamond District :: In the Ruff

Most slept on for 2009 & 2010 dope beats & rhymes*

Matthew Joseph | Ft. Lauderdale , FL | 02/22/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Disclaimer*

There is a difference between rap and hip hop. It is crucial to understand this to appreciate the two genres. Rap has its purpose but its not hip hop even though mainstream media likes to classify them as the same. Sometimes there is a mesh of the two i.e.( Talib Kweli and Bun B on Talib's album Eardrum). For ex. Lil Wayne is not hip hop even though I like some of his stuff we need to separate the two. Hip hop music is made for people on the street and is made to be timeless. Rap is made like a factory product. Its makes music for the moment and stays relevant for a short time most of the time. Once again, I like some rap but hip hop is where its at for me, has more substance and speaks to my soul. Listen to Mos Def, Talib, Common, Little Brother, Slum Village, Skyzoo,Raekwon, Ghostface, Nas etc. to understand what hip hop is. You will hear a distinct difference in the music and message from the likes of Lil Wayne, Lil Boosie, Drake, Young Money, etc. Rap plays up stereotypes, Hip Hop critiques those stereotypes.





Have to agree with all the reviews. Beats are nicer than 9th wonders (even though it is hard for me to say that). He is the most under rated producer / mc in the game. Oddisee is the most versatile mc/producer to date. Kanye West is nice but this guy is out shining him now ( Kanye needs to stick to making dope albums and stop slapping up camera men or throwing tantrums). I also love the flow of the album and the themes. The interlude beat that everyone raps on throughout the album is nice. The most slept on album of 2009 and 2010 will be exactly what the album title expresses, this exactly is a diamond "In the Ruff""

Excellent Album

Number3 | 01/08/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is solid. Oddisee production is on point. Lyrics are good as well. If you are looking to hear some new and fresh music definitely check out this album. There are definitely some tracks that can go on loop for a good 2 months."

2009 Hip Hop Album of the Year

Mick B. | Milwaukee, WI | 10/27/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yeah... this album is sooo dope. Oddisee, XO and yU provide clever, insightful and original lyrics over Oddisee boom bap horns and beats. Nothing else is coming close this year. You will be seriously missing out if you don't check this album out."